The Timken Company

James Maloof

Gerald P Fox

Randy P Kruse

Milos Malec

Jaroslav Suchanek

An epicyclic gear system includes sun and ring gears (), planet pinions () arrayed (a, b) between these gears, and a carrier () to which planet pinions are coupled through flexpins (). The pinions are located between carrier walls () with flexpins for the respective arrays cantilevered from opposite walls. The carrier is subjected to externally applied torque which transfers through the system. The load path (p) for one array is shorter than that (p) for the other array, which disparity causes carrier distortion with flexpins on one wall angularly displaced from flexpins on the other wall. The system compensates for this by one wall having areas () of weakness where the flexpins cantilever from it. This enables the pinions of the two arrays to better mesh under a load and share torque transfer more evenly.

Epicyclic gear system having two arrays of pinions mounted on flexpins with compensation for carrier distortion

An epicyclic gear system (A) includes helical sun and ring gears () and helical planet pinions () located between and engaged with the sun and ring gears. The gear system also includes a carrier () having an end wall () and flexpins () cantilevered from the end wall and extended into the planet pinions. Each flexpin at its end remote from the end wall carries a sleeve () that extends back over the flexpin where it is spaced from the flexpin. The planet pinion for the flexpin rotates around the sleeve on a bearing (). The arrangement is such that the flexpin will flex adjacent to the carrier end wall circumferentially along the pitch circle of the carrier in one direction and circumferentially in the opposite direction adjacent to attachment of the sleeve. But the helical gear imparts a couple to the planet pinion that seeks to tilt the sleeve radially toward or away from the main axis of the system. A deflection inhibitor (I) lies between each flexpin and the sleeve surrounding it to prevent the radial deflection.

Growing community of inventors

Clinton, OH, United States of America

James Maloof